The Key Steps to Implementing a Fire Door Solution in Your Hotel

In the event of an incident resulting in the outbreak of a fire, it is essential that your hotel premises are equipped with a system that prevents the spread of the fire. In general, this system includes fire detectors, whose installation is mandatory for all buildings. Although useful, they only play a preventive role and cannot stop the progression of the flames.

This is when fire doors reveal their full importance. To this end, the company dormakaba, an expert in access and security solutions, supports you in ensuring your building’s safety compliance.

Required Standards for Fire Doors

Fire safety in hotels is governed by strict standards, particularly regarding the installation of fire doors. These doors are not simply additional elements to your building’s structure. They are mandatory components in all public-access buildings (ERP) since the decree of June 25, 1980, as well as in high-rise buildings (IGH), whose height exceeds 50 meters.

This door system plays an essential role in the event of smoke or fire. They are designed to contain flames for half an hour and prevent the spread of smoke. They thus provide valuable time to evacuate the premises safely and facilitate the intervention of emergency services by maintaining secure areas. Failure to comply with these standards can not only endanger the lives of your hotel’s occupants but also expose you to severe penalties.

Assessment of Your Fire Protection Needs

Before choosing and installing a fire protection system, it is essential to carry out a thorough assessment of your hotel’s specific needs. Regulations impose a strict framework: exits must be well lit, doors must open in the direction of evacuation, and maneuvering spaces must be provided for people with reduced mobility.

Identifying the areas where fire doors are needed is a key step. Large passageways, corridors leading to emergency staircases, or doors separating different areas of the hotel are all spaces that require enhanced protection.

To this end, the company dormakaba supports you in the precise assessment of the premises and offers solutions tailored to your building’s needs. Remember that a category A fire safety system (SSI) is required in most hotels, with the exception of a few specific establishments.

Choosing the Right Fire Doors for Your Hotel

Businesswoman walking down hall way with rolling suitcase, in modern office

After assessing your hotel’s needs, it is time to choose the most suitable fire doors. These can be made of metal, wood, or a composite, and their thickness must comply with current standards. Furthermore, resistance to fire and smoke is an essential criterion to evaluate. Door leaves must be designed to provide optimal protection. At dormakaba, you will find a range of secure access solutions designed to meet all fire safety requirements.

The proposed solutions come in different components, including:

• fire compartments, equipped with fire detection systems that can be combined with automatic fire door closing devices

• smoke compartments, made from smoke-proof partitions, airtight, to prevent the spread of smoke

These compartments are installed with door closing solutions, door hold-open devices, and more. This forms a functional and practical unit that closes automatically or withstands heavy loads in an emergency and can resist high temperatures. The solutions can be combined to meet the specific needs of users, including the elderly and people with reduced mobility.

Furthermore, it is essential to plan the installation in such a way as to minimize disruption to hotel staff and reduce guest discomfort. Poorly planned installation can cause inconvenience and harm the guest experience.

Advantages, Maintenance, and Regular Servicing

After installing your fire doors, their maintenance must not be neglected. These elements are designed to provide maximum protection in the event of a fire, preventing smoke and flames from spreading, while protecting your systems, operations, and investments. However, to maintain their effectiveness, regular maintenance is essential.

Implementing a periodic maintenance program with professionals is the best guarantee of safety. The innovative technologies used in fire doors, such as those offered by dormakaba, require regular checks to ensure they function perfectly, even in an emergency.

Staff Training

Finally, staff must be well trained in the use of fire doors and evacuation procedures in the event of a fire. A fire door, no matter how efficient, will not fulfill its role if it is used incorrectly.

Regular training sessions for all staff must therefore be organized to ensure their real-time skill in applying the actions to take in an emergency. Good training can make all the difference between a successful evacuation and a dangerous situation.

Implementing a fire door solution in your hotel is not just a matter of regulatory compliance; it is above all an essential step to ensure the safety of your guests and staff. By following the required installation procedures under the guidance of an access and security expert like dormakaba, you will be able to effectively protect your establishment against fire risks.

Safety is a long-term investment and every detail counts. For more information regarding the choice of your fire doors or the adoption of security solutions based on ecological practices, please contact the company.